WASHINGTON—President Donald Trump signed an executive order at the White House on Thursday aimed at strengthening foster care efforts in the United States.
Trump was joined by First Lady Melania Trump in the East Room for the signing of the order, which is designed to expand opportunities for education, career development, housing, and other resources for young people leaving foster care and entering adulthood.
“We are going to protect American children in foster care, and we’re going to ensure that they will never, ever be forgotten,” Trump said before signing the order.
“They’re going to grow up to be unbelievable, strong, smart, wealthy, productive citizens.”
“This executive order, fostering the future for American children and families, gives me tremendous pride,” the first lady said during the event. “It is both empathetic and strategic. It will certainly be impactful.”
“Each year, more than 15,000 young people age out of the foster care system, and unfortunately, too many struggle to become self-sufficient,” Trump said. “The order I will sign in a few moments will provide vital new resources to help young people transition out of the foster care system and live a very happy and a very successful life.”
Many children in the foster care community lack the resources they need to complete their education and join the workforce.
They also face employment gaps. By age 24, only half of former foster youth will have employment, compared to 75 percent of their peers. And they also earn less compared to their counterparts.
“This dedicated funding for foster youth is a game changer in providing young adults with access to short-term housing assistance and supportive services, which will prevent homelessness,” HUD Secretary Scott Turner said in a statement in May.
The new initiative will also create an opportunity for foster youth to benefit from the federal tax credit scholarship program established by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Trump said.
The program will “expand occupational training, education, and financial literacy programs for the foster youth and make it possible for more of them to attend the school of their choice,” the president said.
The first lady has made children her central focus, championing their safety at home and abroad.
